New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-01
SUNDAY EDITION..
NAY l, 1887.
Mr.. NEvINSs POOR MEMORY.
NOTHING TO SAY TO PopEs CHARGES.


HOW THE LATTER HAPPENED TO GIVE ms TEsTt
MoNY COOPER AND DUNHAM
Chief Nevinss memory was so like sieve yesterday
when he appeared before the Bacon Investigating Com
mitee and pressed to explain transactions concern
ing checks that Henry W. Pope claims were paid to the
chief for purposes of bribery committee began
to think that 1t would not hold much OF anything He
said II don't remember" with such regularity and pre-
cision when he was requested to state when he had
received certain checks II any and by whom they were
paid etc. that the listeners wondered how bankruptcy
law could be framed to meet the chiefs methods of bust
ness. 1t was not on the whole. a startling
or exciting investigation, bit some progress
was made. The investigation was carried
on In Lawyer shepard's room, No. 81 Nassau St.
The entire committee on hand a little after 10
o'clock. Colonel Bacon smiled on his Republican col
leagues. Messrs Arnold and Cole who appeared vastly
satisfied with the results Of the previous
Mr. Cutler reoiced in the presence OF his Democratic
colleague Judge Greene account OF whose absence on
Friday he had desired the Investigation 10 be most.
poned when Colonel Bacon revealing In the reyela-
tons OF Democratic corruption. Mr.. Pope, who
"squealed," took seat some distance from Chief
Nevins whO however did not appear hurt at the slight
and chated happily with his counsel Anthony Barrett
Charles Cooper president OF those siamese twins the
Citizens Electric Light Company and the Municipal
Electric Company that have lowed each other body
helping Of course into the hearts Of the Brooklyn Alder
men, present together with his friend the capitalist
George III. Durham.
Mr. Pope recalled to the stand to l out his story
Of Friday about Chief Nevins. He made voluntarily a
few corrections In printed reports Of the inyesga
ton and then resigned himself into the hands Of Mr.
Parsons who conducted the entire proceedings of the day
Mr.. Parsons wanted Mr. Pope to give the dates Of the
conversations that he had with Chief Nevins and the
dates OF the payments constituting the 1880 given TO
Nevins He could not remember much about the con-
versaons for there several of them but as to tho
payments he felt that they have been made
about May.
al remember that 1t was hot weather. said he,
az assume that the checks were paid before the
granting Of the franchise In May 1854 t was several
Judge Green then cross-examned Mr. Pope He re-
minded the witness that at previous examination he
declined TO answer certain questions the grounds OF
confidential communication and asked him IL he
leased Mr. Pope replied that he was not and he said
did not extend. He had come forward voluntarily
How did you happen to come bereP asked Judge
here" replied Mr. Pope strengthening himself
up, because had been accused OF rObbing the COM
pany because it was said that was electrician"
Mr. Pope statei, however that he had determined not
mind after he had consulted his lawyer who had told
him thst would be only question Of time when he
and the committees counsel had talked with him and
pressed him to testify Mr. Pope then asked TO inform
the committee whose check IL was for S25 that formed
part Of the payment to Neyins He replied that it came
from out OF the State
o-Whose check was III Al decline to answer unless
Colonel BaconThe agreewithmeln COM
Again the question was put and Mr. Pope mopped his
feyered brow and said that the check came from tho
Thompson Houston Electrical Company Of Boston, aud
that it was signed by tnat company. made payable
Pope. sewall Co.. That burden of his mind, Mr. Pope
r @sr n ne f y * inc o
Boston, g A. Edwards, OF this city, and Dennis ].
M Pope BE- said that IL as he 1 T 70 the ss
sewall his partner to testify.
Odd Chief Neyins say to once that he king Of
Mr. GreenYou say that Barrett declared you we're an
en aa a. 1o i yea be- Goed
hed by the Assembly for contempt you did not IA
Q-Thon your coming here very praiseworthy..
SSs t9st any
ings think that 1t was case OF public necessity.
ali cssas SsAs $ %ss
Yes answered Mr. Greene, have, but In this case
decline"
that he had known Charles Cooper president OF the two
electrical companies from b0yhood Cooper into
his store on December H. 1883. aud asked him for
Q.-whst was the nature of the investment Ale did
did Cooper say that the money was to be used Orl
organized was have 1000 shares the par value Of which
was sISS which G % fsSsved sal, ,,. m
o-Is this the checkl Ayes signed it and made 10
owhy was certified that could be paid that very
day A.-Cooper asked me TO do
The witness then stated that this the only business
he had with Mr. Cooper In May, 1854 ne
took additional stock in the company but that
with the company The rest OF his testimony
was about other stock he had taken.
Charles Cooper took the stand next He corroborated
Mr.. Dunhams statement about the $500 transaction
He said that he wanted the money thatday lie deposited
the money in the bank with $500 of his money
9where did you go after getting the money! A-To my
Odd you go TO Brookynf Al think not
Odd you have any use for the money that dsyl A
oDo yOp know Frank II. sKeele. whose name has been
money drawn on tho check.
Mr. Cooper said that his firm had done million dollars
Use the $4,000 had been put to,
,ut the nearest he could come to it was that
was for ordinary purposes OF the electrical
company. Mr. Cooper refused 20 show his deposit book,
tut will be required to show all accounts etc. next time
lie said that Neyins had received money from him. but
lot In May and denied that his company had furnished
1884 any smaller amounts for corrupt purposes.
,hief Neyins was then called
Q-Do You recollec receiving check So 1875
Electrical Company Al don't
lember
Do you remembe- receiving three checks Of s425 each
rom Pope, sewa & Cot Al don't remember
QDo recognize this deposit check Of yours for $425a
Q-How about Pope's statement Friday charging you
nth bribery Al have nothing 10 say.
In froS s7 SS to money ''n'"
o-What books have you show this Al have none
Odd you make any payment for the Pope Electrical
ompany Ayes for labor don't know exactly for what
your memory gone as to where the money was pun
o-Hss memory to the from which tho
QI-Has your memory gone to who furnished I'll A.
O. How about Pope A-Thev returned.
lrposes A.Not dollar corrupt
ses and don't know OF anybody being paid for his vote
The Investigation adjourned until Tomorrow at 10 An